About Us
C.I.D. was formed to recognize the trained
Interior Decorator as a professional, filling the need for
those who have been displaced by the State licensing of Interior
Designers nationwide, and to those that opt by choice to
remain independent of government regulation by limiting their
activities to the services normally provided by Interior
Decorators. By defining the role of the Interior Decorator
thereby eliminating consumer confusion about the difference
between Interior Decorators and Interior Designers.
C.I.D. professional Interior Decorators are
set apart as proven trained professionals with earned credentials.
The professional designation of C.I.D relieves the trade
sources and decorator showrooms nationwide of the need to
examine individuals claiming to be 'decorators' thus alleviating
a major problem that showrooms face on a daily basis.
FAQ'S
What is the difference between an Interior
Decorator and an Interior Designer?
A college education majoring in Interior
Design is necessary for a person to become an Interior Designer.
However, due to licensing laws in various states, many interior
Designers have been 'grandfathered' into licensing and professional
organizations without education or training in Interior Design
and many are 'self-taught' without formal education. The
consumer cannot know whether their designer was ever
college educated.
C.I.D. members must have received training
or certification by an approved educational program, they
are not required to have a college degree. Members are also
required to maintain a local occupational license as an Interior
Decorator on a County level only and tax resale certificate
on the State level. C.I.D. will not permit 'grandfathering'
(experience) without recognized education.
Can an Interior Decorator provide the same
services as an Interior Designer?
An Interior Decorator can give advice as
a paid consultant, including the selection or assistance
in selection of surface materials, window treatments, wall
coverings, paint, floor coverings, surface mounted lighting,
surface mounted fixtures, and plan or specify loose furnishings
for residential, business, restaurant, yacht or hospitality
interiors.
In various states licensing Interior Designers,
the interior decorator usually cannot plan architectural
changes space planning, design built in permanent furniture
or provide reflected ceiling plans. They can however, make
verbal recommendations for lighting and built in cabinetry,
minor architectural changes, such as changing windows or
doors, to clients or their builder or architect.
Are Interior Decorators more affordable?
As consultants, they can be more affordable
since they are not required to have a college degree and
do not have to maintain fees for licensing, continued educational
programs and other costs or penalties incurred by being State
regulated. Charges for furnishings are about the same due
to trade discounts being equal for interior decorators and
interior designers.
How can a consumer know
what to look for in a decorating professional?
There are many do-it-yourselfers or self
appointed decorators and designers flooding the marketplace.
The consumer must look for the certified professional. Interior
Designers are certified by the National Council for Interior
Design Qualification (NCIDQ). Interior Decorators are certified
by Certified Interior Decorators International (C.I.D.).
Is C.I.D. recognized and accepted nationally
as an organization for Interior Decorators?
C.I.D. is recognized as a professional trade
association listed in Interior Design magazine's Buyers Guide.
Formed in 1997, C.I.D. registered it's name and logo as a
registered service mark with the United States Patent and
Trademark offices. We are also listed at Trade Only Design
Library at www.todl.com Consumers are seeing our national
ads in magazines such as 'Elle Decor'. We also have a national
referral service for members in response to ads, newspaper
articles and the Internet.
